You may have seen posters like this one in your classroom. Some teachers even have their students decide together what rules they all agree on, so everyone feels involved. Rules help us feel safe, because they set limits as to what behaviors are expected and what behaviors simply will not happen.
The Internet is not like that. It is a vast network, linking people from different parts of the world. Not everyone has the same ideas about what is appropriate. As you probably have already learned, even people from our own communities may not share our ideas about right and wrong. We are responsible for creating the community we want.We need to decide what kind of Internet community we want to be a part of, and determine what rules will make it happen!
We cannot make other people follow our rules, but we can be safe by staying within set boundaries. We can contribute to a safe cyber-community by sharing our rules with our friends, and encouraging them to follow these rules as well.
If you are still wondering why we need rules,
watch this short video about Joe and his experience with a cyberbully. Who makes the rules?When you go out to play, do your parents want to know where you are going? Do they ask who you will be with? Are you expected to be home at a certain time, and to tell them if your plans change? Of course! The Internet is a much bigger place than any neighborhood, and it makes sense for the adults who care about you to set limits on where you can go. If you want your parents to trust you with greater freedoms as you grow older, it's your responsibility to respect the limits they set now. If you take the initiative in talking about this, you may have a chance to contribute to what the rules will be.
Some parents may be reluctant to discuss Internet rules. They may worry that it's too scary a topic to discuss with children. Some parents may even feel intimidated by technology, or be concerned that they don't know where to start. You can show them the resources and links from this website, and ask them to work with you to make a family plan for Internet safety. If this doesn't get them involved, then you should set rules for yourself, and follow them!
Here are websites with more information about cyber safety:
"BE the community we want" rules I will keep my passwords private. I will use only my own email account and my own IM identity.
I will only post things that would be okay to say face to face.
I will not post or forward unkind or embarrassing or untrue information about other people - or about myself!
I will not participate in "bashing" or "flaming" others, or vote in online polls that are likely to hurt people's feelings.
These community rules are for our social contact with people we do know. Sometimes when we make friends online, we forget that we do not really know them. The rules below are to keep us safe with those friends, too! "Safe Surfing" rules
I will not post any personal information or photographs without my parents' permission.
I will never agree to get together with anyone I "meet" online without asking my parents.
If any online friend asks me to get together, I will tell my parents, even if I said No.
If my parents say it's okay, we will meet in a public place with my parent(s) there, too.
I will only download things from people I know and trust in real life (not just online).
I will not answer any messages that make me feel uncomfortable. If I get a message like that, I know it is not my fault. I will tell my parents right away so they can handle it.
You can download a printable contract with similar rules here, at kidsafe.org.
Who needs rules?
The Internet is not like that. It is a vast network, linking people from different parts of the world. Not everyone has the same ideas about what is appropriate. As you probably have already learned, even people from our own communities may not share our ideas about right and wrong. We are responsible for creating the community we want. We need to decide what kind of Internet community we want to be a part of, and determine what rules will make it happen!
We cannot make other people follow our rules, but we can be safe by staying within set boundaries. We can contribute to a safe cyber-community by sharing our rules with our friends, and encouraging them to follow these rules as well.
If you are still wondering why we need rules,
watch this short video about Joe and his experience with a cyberbully.
Who makes the rules?
Some parents may be reluctant to discuss Internet rules. They may worry that it's too scary a topic to discuss with children. Some parents may even feel intimidated by technology, or be concerned that they don't know where to start. You can show them the resources and links from this website, and ask them to work with you to make a family plan for Internet safety. If this doesn't get them involved, then you should set rules for yourself, and follow them!
Here are websites with more information about cyber safety:
NetSmartz Workshop
STOP Cyberbullying
"BE the community we want" rules
I will keep my passwords private.
I will use only my own email account and my own IM identity.
I will only post things that would be okay to say face to face.
I will not post or forward unkind or embarrassing or untrue information about other people - or about myself!
I will not participate in "bashing" or "flaming" others, or vote in online polls that are likely to hurt people's feelings.
These community rules are for our social contact with people we do know. Sometimes when we make friends online, we forget that we do not really know them. The rules below are to keep us safe with those friends, too!
"Safe Surfing" rules
You can download a printable contract with similar rules here, at kidsafe.org.